Garrow Canine Training LLC

10/25/2023

Want to thank everyone that voted our business (observer Reporter- Best of Best) thanks, n keep on voting, lol. mike

10/19/2023

SORRY in my post for the new basic obedience class I made a
MISTAKE..... it is $275 for EIGHT ONE HOUR Class's

09/06/2023

Dog Training Prices:
Pup Class $175 for four 1-hour classes (Dogs under 4 months old)
Basic Obedience $275 for 8 one-hour classes (same for intermediate n advanced)
Private lessons - half hour $50. / 45 min. $75. / hour $100.
IF INTERESTED DO NOT MESSAGE ME ON FACE BOOK
CALL 724 489-4339

03/11/2023

E-Coller: The electronic collar is an excellent training tool if used properly and trained properly. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most mis-used training tools. Unlike some trainers, I do not introduce the e-collar until the dog is 'basic obedience trained'.
My E- Collar class begins with recall in my (semi-sterile) building, then outside on hard surface with little distractions. Then grass with minimal distractions. Never, never do I introduce corrections until the recall is satisfied. Finding the dogs 'starting point stim number is very important; This number can vary depending on the dog's temperament, pain tolerance and stubbornness. Usually, this number is 2 or low 3. Once the 'starting point' is found we begin recall.

Note: If the E-Collar is properly trained, the dog will be excited when you put it on. The dog relates the 'collar' to going somewhere n' having fun, such as obedience, ball or play. If used improperly, the dog will avoid and resist the collar.

Note: I do not believe in using the E-Collar to curb any handler aggression (your dog aggresses you for a correction or stubbornness. My opinion, the handler should stop this with physical dominance, not the collar.

The collar I recommend is the Sport Dog Field Trainer SD-425 fro Gun Dog Supply. Reliable n' fairly inexpensive. I will not train with a LED read-out remote; I prefer a 'dial'. If my dog is 50 yards out n' suddenly observes a very interesting stimulation, I don't want to take my eyes off him to change the LED, a dial I can change it without taking my eyes off my dog.

God Bless ...... Love Your Dogs.

01/20/2023

S. Strabane K9 Reika (Oct. 2022)

01/11/2023

Tying your Dog out:
I am totally against any tie out of any kind. Tying a dog out creates multiple problems (depending on temperament of dog),
a) territorial aggression; b) fear issues; c) stress issues;
d) running away issues; e) not coming when called issues;
c) and most importantly, relationship issues (with owner).

Most dogs who 'run away' or do not 'recall' are ' tied-out dogs'.
When I try to explain this to some clients, they say things like, 'Well it's only for a little while'. or, ' We're out there with him/her'.

Behavior in the canine family is formed by their genetic make-up. Example: A Retriever not been trained to hunt will still show interest in birds (most). A terrier will normally target small animals such as moles, etc.

When a dog is tied up it is in a stressful, unfamiliar situation.
The dog knows it cannot escape to safety if necessary. Does an alpha wolf have to tie out subordinates, so they don't run away, of course not. The pack members don't want to escape, they are completely satisfied in their family. We, as owners have to establish so our dogs won't run away.

This is going to make some dog owners feel uncomfortable, but a tie out is simply a baby-sitting machine, similar to putting a child in front of a TV. Keeping the animal out of your hair so you can do what you want. This is an educated, expert opinion.

God Bless n' love your Dogs.

Note: For any Police Dog Trainers out there, I'm not against the 'bite table' tie-out exercises .... (Great way to teach the out)

12/26/2022

Bandit n' Handler

08/04/2022

04/10/2022

If interested in training, or anything else, please call 724 489-4339, not a message on Face-book.

02/10/2022

Dog Running away: Note: Some of my posts are going to upset some people, maybe even p**s you off ..... or commonly, put you into denial. Remember, these 'educated opinions' .... are for your benefit.

First it is important to recognize the difference between 'running away and 'not coming when called'!

1. Not coming when called:
(a) Your dog is in your yard playing around n when you call him, he ignores you.
(b) Your Dog is in the house n you call him n he ignores you.
(c) Your Dog goes after another animal either to play or aggress.
* This is strictly an obedience - easy to fix problem.

2. Running Away:
(a) Your dog is 'tied out' on a chain, cable, etc., breaks loose n takes off. (Most common)
(b) Your dog is in an outside run, without your supervision, n digs out ..... and runs.
(c) Your dog busts out of the door as you or a child opens it .... and runs.
This a serious issue, more involved than an 'obedience problem'. Your dogs 'Hierarchy of Needs' are not being satisfied. Basically, they're looking to find something better (than your care). Let me ask you this, in the wild, does a wolf or coyote have to 'tie out' subordinate pack members or 'put them in pens' to keep them from running away? Hell no !

Note: This is where 'denial' might come into play. 'Pens n tie-outs' and sometimes 'electric fenced in yards' n 'physical fenced yards' become 'babysitting mechanisms' .... to keep the dog 'out of your hair'.... like a TV or Computer game is to a child. I do not believe in letting a dog outside without my supervision.

My Philosophy is to train the dog in proper obedience then introduce the E-Collar to tune in distance control. If done properly, you'll never need any kind of fence, pen or (no-good) tie-out!

Love Your Dogs ...... Be a good leader .... and they will never leave You, I guarantee it ! Ask my Achilles, lol.

02/03/2022

Note: This is probably going to be mis-understood by some, but I feel the need to talk about it!

Subject - The German Shepherd (GS):
I've been dealing with this breed since 1986 when I attended West Virginia Canine College, (WVCC). Also, my 1st. two Police Dogs were GS. And over the years I've trained at least 38 GS for other departments, all European bloodlines. (Czech, German, Dutch, Belgium, Hungarian)

The Dog training school I attended, (West Virginia Canine College) had a kennel full of imported G.S n Rottweiler's. There were Schutzhund 1-2-n 3's. Achat, the top breeder was German Seiger V and V-3 1981 n Spitz V. He probably cost $20,000 plus back then. While attending the school (4 mon. living there) I learned a lot about the breed, conformation standards, etc.

Terms like 'big-bone' .... 'huge' .... or 'oversize' were never used in any description of the breed. It is the American breeders who use these terms. If you're looking for a 90-100 lb. Dog, get a Rottweiler or Great Dane, but a GS should not be that big. Rarely will one that big have the proper characteristics n sound temperament that the breed should have.

Goldy, my 2nd Police Dog (Czech import) weighed 72 lbs. Note: During his 7-year career, he bit 6 'bad guys'. Not one of them mentioned how small he was. Also, his 4 canines, both top n bottom, were worn down knubs. None of the 'bad guys' mentioned that either.

GS are becoming popular again. Be careful when buying and remember.... 'Big is not better'. My new Dog, Achilles, (Dutch shepherd) weighs 65 lb. He can knock an inexperienced decoy (in a bite suit) off his feet.

When looking for a G.S., look for European working bloodlines, mother weighing 60-65 lb., fathers weighing 75-80 lb. max.

If the breeder uses 'size' as a selling point, such as 'big bone', or 'over size'..... find a good GS breeder.

Note: Most important ..... this is not bull-sh*t ..... but a truly educated opinion .... God Bless .... and Love Your Dogs

My only goal n purpose for this post is to give You good info before You buy a German Shepherd, because nothing is better than a good sound temperament GS .... and nothing is worse than an unsound temperament GS.

02/02/2022

Page n Profile Pic's:
1. Page Pic (GS in lap):
When the Berlin Wall came down late 80's, Wayne Davis (then owner of West Virginia Canine College) imported 4-5 East German Dogs.... I called them ' Co**ie Dogs, lol'.
After graduating in 87' I would occasionally return to the college and stay a few days and train. At this time, I was in market for my 1st. Police Dog. So, I went down to test the 4-5 Dogs Wayne had for sale. (Thankfully, I video'd this day)

Satan was last... the student that brought him from the kennel had his whole left arm bandaged from wrist to shoulder. As the two approached, Wayne told me this Dog has dominance issues n bit a 'few handlers'.... even in Germany.

Wayne handled Satan, I took a few bites from him, two post bites, then two pursuit bites. He was solid, confident, extremely calm on the bite.

After the test, the stressed student took Satan back to the kennel.
While accessing the Dogs, my wife said, 'You like that crazy Dog, don't you?'. I said, 'Yeah, how did you know'.

The next morning, I went to the kennel to visit Satan. To my surprise He was not in a run, He was tied to stake out outside the kennel.

With a lead, I approached Him n hooked him up. We went for a walk around the place .... calm n cool.

Best of my memory, I paid $1,800 for him .... brought him home n for a few days kept him in my basement. Took him for walks thru our town, played ball n then brought him upstairs with our other GS, Shane. Started training with him end of 1st. week .... Note: Satan was already trained in bite work n obedience in E Germany.

Satan n I bonded quick, He never, ever even growled at me. We finished training n while in the Police academy He got cancer (note bump on side of face in pic). We tried chemo, driving him to Ohio State Vet. in Columbus weekly for 8 weeks, sitting on the floor with him for 4 hours while they dripped chemo in his vein.

Two face Surgeries, (Dr. Pat Bredel, God Bless Him) but, to no avail, I laid him to rest Oct. 1, 1993. Great Dog, best looking German Shepherd I ever laid eyes on. The Dog n I were like ' one ' .

Miss You Partner, Friend.

2. Profile Pic - K-9 Leonidas:

My 3rd. Police Dog Sheiko was 11, so I started to look for a replacement. Battle Ridge K-9, Mike Mayes (good friend) had a young 8 mon. Dutch perfect for me, his name was Axel. After watching videos I told Mike I want him.

Jan 13, 2008, Justin Duvall n I drove to West Virgina to pick up Axel. (Note: I already had plans to change his name to Leonidas)
The next day we began training, obedience n article search.
On April 20, 2008, Sheiko died of gastric torsion. Leo had to finish quickly, I needed a Police Dog.

By Feb. 2008 we were on the road, certified in patrol n narcotics.
For 8 years we worked together. Leo found lots of evidence, guns, drugs, money, etc. He caught numerous 'bad guys'. He saved my life one night with an armed as***le by knocking the guy down who was about to shoot me with cocked 357 stolen Python. (Note: I had to add stolen, the as***le didn't buy it at a gun store like law abiding citizens)

Sometime in Jan of 2016 Leonidas had a physical behavior change, unsteady on his feet, wobbling n falling over. He was obviously in pain, He'd whimper, head hanging down. I took to my Vet Justine, she recommended MRI. PVSEC diagnosed him with Wobbler's syndrome.

Leo lasted, with a lot of meds into 2019. But it got to front legs and we had to put Him to rest on March 18, 2019. Leonidas is in my thoughts every day ..... He was a true Partner n Friend.

God Bless ..... Love Your Dogs. I know I do !!!!!!!!!!!

01/19/2022

Special Thanks to Charleroi Street Department, great Job... as usual on the streets ! God Bless

01/19/2022

Getting in your dog's face:

Occasionally I'll get a client who received a face-bite from they're
dog. And commonly they'll make the excuse, " It was my fault, I shouldn't have been in their face'..... bu****it!

I don't believe in ''RESTRICTIVE TRAINING'.

My definition of RS is: Avoiding, not allowing any situations that might cause' bad behavior from your dog.
1. Dog nipped face .... so don't put your face close
2. Dog counter surfs .... move everything
3. If I'm eating in living room on coffee table ....n I have to go bathroom... put dog away or hide food

My training philosophy is simple .... teach the Dog that bad behavior won't be tolerated ..... n good behavior will be rewarded.

This is not 'brain-surgery' ..... To be a successful Trainer we must 'Think like a Dog .... to train a Dog.' We must rid ourselves of emotion, anger, stress, frustration n stay calm n cool, lowest heart rate possible...... then revert to a Dogs primal form of thinking.

Note: Profile n Page ..... Dogs in my face !!!!!!!
God Bless ,,,,,,,, Love your Dogs !

12/11/2021

Educated opinion on ' Board Kennel training': (Trainer trains dog. Owner not involved, then gets 1-2 lessons after)

This is the type of training offered by some trainers where they keep your dog for a period of time, train the dog, then give you 1 or 2 lessons on how to 'manage the dog'.

Note: When I attended West Virginia Canine College in 1986 this is what we learned at the school.

Educated Opinion: Don't waste your money. The Dogs are easy... it's the humans who need training/teaching. 90 % of my work is with the 'humans'.

Remember ! opinions (especially Dog related issues) are like
a-holes ..... everybody has one. Trust an educated opinion .... remember my analogy, 'If You or I need a serious surgery, like a heart surgery, I want to work with a Dr. who did 10,000 plus .... not the Dr. right out of school (especially if he/she learned from 'on-line training').

God Bless .... Love Your Dogs. Mike

12/04/2021

My thoughts (and educated opinion) on 'On line dog training courses':

It's beyond my thought process how anyone could learn how to
evaluate a dog's temperament or begin to train a dog without the experience of hands-on experience. My advice, find a good dog training school, enroll, live there and work with as many dogs as possible in your 4 - 6months months of school. It takes hands-on experience to understand Temperament, (Sound n Unsound), to recognize n deal with 15 different types of aggression, to understand the difference between a 'Stressed dog n a Stubborn dog'. And most importantly, to work with a variety of people who love their dogs. God Bless .... Love Your dogs.

06/19/2021

Gunfire video / Garrow K-9 Training Gunfire exercise:
Unlike NAPWDA certification gunfire exercise (which is unrealistic ) A K-9 handler sends his Dog after a fleeing felon, unknown that the 'sh****ad' has a gun n begins firing towards the Handler n Dog. The Handler quickly moves to nearest 'cover' while re-calling His Dog back (so neither get shot !) MAKE SENSE !

06/06/2021

New K-9 Team in Training, Keith/K-9 Tornado. Keith is 3rd. time K-9 Handler now working for South Strabane, their 1st. K-9 Team. Good Guy n Good Dog. This is always fun !!!!!